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Two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis is a powerful and sensitive technique for separating and analyzing protein mixtures from biological samples. 2D gel electrophoresis is performed in two consecutive steps, IEF and SDS-PAGE.
Sample preparation is a critical step in 2D gel electrophoresis and is key to the success of your experiment. Many factors play an important role in designing a procedure for sample preparation. We offer products to help you be successful including:
The 2D electrophoresis sample rehydration buffer, also as known as the sample buffer, is used to denature and solubilize protein samples, and rehydrate the IPG strips. The first step in sample preparation is selecting and/or preparing a suitable sample rehydration buffer. Due to the large variety of proteins, there is no universal sample rehydration buffer. The starting material and goal of the experiment are two factors to consider when selecting a buffer. The sample rehydration buffer must:
The buffer typically contains a denaturing agent (urea or urea/thiourea), solubilizing agent (non-ionic or zwitterionic detergent and ampholytes), and reducing agent (DTT). The table below lists the major components of the sample rehydration buffer, their function, and their recommended concentration. Note that the final concentration must be optimized based on the solubility of your proteins. Optimization is usually achieved by varying the concentrations of detergent, urea, ampholytes, and reducing agent.
Component | Function | Final concentration | Comments |
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Urea | Denatures and solubilizes proteins |
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Detergent | Solubilizes the proteins and helps to maintain the proteins in solution during rehydration and IEF | Total detergent concentration range is 0.5–4% |
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Reducing agent | Cleaves the disulfide bonds in the proteins | DTT or DTE at 20 mM to 100 mM |
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Ampholytes | Helps in solubilizing proteins and aids in maintaining the pH gradient 0.2–2% | Note: Higher ampholyte concentration requires longer focusing times. |
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IEF is performed in tube gels (polyacrylamide gels cast in long glass tubes) using carrier ampholytes. The protein sample is applied to the gel and IEF is performed at high voltage. Once the current is applied, the carrier ampholytes form a continuous pH gradient. While the gradient is formed, the protein migrates in the pH gradient to its pI.
At the end of IEF, gel is extruded from the tube and equilibrated in buffer containing SDS to prepare the proteins for migration into the second dimension SDS gel. The tube gel is placed on top of a polyacrylamide gel containing SDS and subjected SDS-PAGE.
Disadvantages of carrier ampholytes
The major disadvantages of performing IEF using carrier ampholytes are:
Using immobilized pH gradient (IPG) gels for first dimension IEF eliminates the problems associated with carrier ampholytes. The immobilized pH gradient (IPG) gel is formed by casting polyacrylamide gels using acrylamido buffers (acrylamide derivatives containing charged groups) on a plastic backing. Since the pH gradient is cast into the gel, the gradient is more stable and reproducible. After the IPG gel is polymerized, the gel is washed, dried, and cut into narrow strips (IPG Strips).
The pH gradient on the IPG strip can be linear or nonlinear (NL). The non-linear gradient is usually expanded from pH 4-7 resulting in a sigmoidal pH gradient. The non-linear IPG strips are useful for analyzing samples containing many proteins with pI in the range of 4-7, which is typical for most crude lysates from all species.
Advantages of IPG strips
The following are the advantages of using IPG strips for first dimension IEF:
Another critical component of the 2D electrophoresis system is the running buffer as well as the focusing buffers. We offer convenient and reliable solutions for a better performance.
ZOOM® IPGRunner™ System Technical Guide
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.